9 Easy Ways to Bring the Cinco de Mayo Party to Your Office

To respectfully celebrate Cinco de Mayo at work, prioritize education about Mexican culture and history, avoid stereotypical decorations or costumes, and support Mexican-owned businesses for food and supplies. Focus on authentic cultural elements and promote inclusivity.

Mexican culture is a big part of the United States, with people of Mexican origin making up about 11.2% of the population—more than half of the Latino community. From its deep-rooted traditions to its incredible food, Mexican culture is part of everyday life in the U.S.

Cinco de Mayo is commonly confused with Mexico's Independence Day, though its significance lies in a different historical event. On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces, despite being greatly outnumbered, achieved a remarkable victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla. Although this occasion is not widely observed throughout Mexico, it holds great importance for the Mexican-American community as a celebration of cultural heritage, strength, and their impactful contributions.

Observing Cinco de Mayo in the workplace is a great opportunity to bring your team together—not just for a fun celebration, but to foster inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and strengthen company culture. 

If you’re looking for respectful and engaging ways to celebrate at work, here are nine entertainment ideas to make it a memorable and meaningful event.

1. Mexican Culture Trivia

A trivia game is a great way to start the celebration, increase employee engagement, and make it interactive and educational. It's the perfect chance to clear up misconceptions while sharing interesting facts about Mexican history, traditions, and culture.

Questions can cover a wide range of topics: the story behind Cinco de Mayo, traditional Mexican dishes like mole poblano and tamales, famous figures such as artist Frida Kahlo and revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata, and even pop culture, from telenovelas to legendary Mexican soccer players.

Adding small prizes can boost excitement and participation. Consider giving the winners a gift card to a local Mexican restaurant, a set of handcrafted Mexican hot chocolate, or a mini Lotería game.

Read More: 7 Practical Strategies to Maximize Employee Satisfaction

2. Taco Bar

Few things bring people together like good food, and a taco bar is one of the best office party ideas to make your celebration both delicious and interactive. Tacos are highly customizable, making them a great option for an office with diverse tastes.

A DIY taco station lets employees build their own plates with fresh tortillas, a variety of proteins, and an assortment of toppings like salsa, guacamole, and cheese. Traditional sides like Mexican rice, refried beans, and refreshing agua fresca can round out the meal.

If gathering and organizing all the ingredients seems like too much work, let Picnic handle it for you. Catering from a local Mexican restaurant or using a meal service ensures that everything is fresh, delicious, and hassle-free—so you can focus on enjoying the celebration with your team.

3. Guacamole Competition

Add some excitement to the celebration with a guacamole-making contest. Set up a table with fresh ingredients—avocados, tomatoes, onions, lime, cilantro, jalapeños, and a variety of spices—and let employees craft their own unique guacamole recipes.

Some may stick to the traditional flavors, while others might get creative by adding unexpected ingredients like mango, roasted corn, or even bacon.

Set up a tasting station and have employees vote on the best one. You can also appoint a panel of judges to rate each entry based on taste, texture, and presentation. To make it extra fun, offer prizes such as a gourmet salsa set, a cookbook on Mexican cuisine, or a restaurant gift card.

Read More: 10 Simple Ways to Improve Employee Wellbeing in the Workplace

4. Mexican Potluck

A potluck is a fantastic way to bring employees together through food, one of the most authentic expressions of culture. Encouraging employees to contribute homemade or store-bought Mexican dishes fosters a sense of collaboration while offering a delicious variety of flavors.

For an authentic experience, encourage dishes that go beyond the usual tacos and burritos. Employees can bring traditional favorites like tamales or chiles rellenos. Desserts like tres leches cake or pan dulce add a perfect finishing touch.

5. Piñata

No fiesta at work is complete without a piñata—a colorful, festive staple of Mexican celebrations. Traditionally made of papier-mâché and filled with treats, piñatas bring a playful, nostalgic element to any gathering.

For the office, you can opt for a classic breakable piñata, filled with candy or gift cards. If your workplace prefers a less messy option, consider a pull-string piñata, where employees take turns pulling strings until one releases the goodies inside.

A piñata is a lively, laughter-filled activity that brings people together. Whether employees take a swing at it or cheer on their coworkers, it’s a guaranteed way to add excitement to your Cinco de Mayo celebration.

6. Lotería

Lotería is one of the most beloved traditional activities for adults in Mexico, similar to bingo but with a rich cultural twist. Instead of numbered balls, it features illustrated cards representing Mexican traditions, folklore, and everyday life. Examples include El Sol (The Sun), El Corazón (The Heart), and La Sirena (The Mermaid).

To make the game even more engaging, offer small rewards like Mexican candies or gift cards. This is one of the most exciting activities and games to introduce employees to a Mexican tradition while adding a competitive element to your Cinco de Mayo event.

7. Themed Lunch

If organizing a full potluck or taco bar isn’t practical, a themed lunch is an easy way to bring the festive spirit to the office. Ordering from a local Mexican restaurant not only ensures an authentic experience but also supports small businesses.

A well-planned themed lunch allows employees to enjoy the celebration together, fostering a sense of community while savoring the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine.

8. Virtual Lunch for Remote Workers

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo shouldn’t be limited to in-office employees. For remote teams, a virtual lunch can bring everyone together, no matter where they are. Offer employees a digital meal stipend so they can order Mexican food from a local restaurant and enjoy it while joining a casual video call.

To make the experience more interactive, include a short educational segment on the history of Cinco de Mayo or a quick Mexican culture trivia session. Employees can share what they ordered, discuss their favorite dishes, and even swap restaurant recommendations. This simple idea ensures that everyone feels included in the celebration.

9. Mexican Cooking Class

A Mexican cooking class is a hands-on way to engage employees while celebrating authentic flavors. Instead of just eating Mexican food, employees get to experience the process behind it, gaining a deeper appreciation for the culture.

Hiring a local chef allows the team to learn how to make classic Mexican dishes firsthand. For example, employees can try their hand at making enchiladas, fresh salsa, or homemade tortillas. As a result, the celebration becomes a fun and interactive learning experience.

Now that we’ve explored ways to celebrate, it’s important to take a step back and ensure we’re doing it in a way that respects and honors mexican-americans. A well-planned Cinco de Mayo event should be both fun and culturally meaningful.

Cinco de Mayo Must Be About Respect

Cinco de Mayo is a time for celebration, but how we celebrate matters. A thoughtful event goes beyond just fun—it fosters inclusivity, encourages team building activities, and ensures that Mexican culture is honored, not misrepresented.

Too often, celebrations focus on exaggerated depictions like sombreros, fake mustaches, and cartoonish decorations. Instead of turning it into a costume party, focus on authenticity and cultural appreciation.

• Focus on education: Incorporate opportunities to learn about Mexican history, culture, and traditions rather than just the holiday itself.
• Avoid stereotypes: Skip inappropriate costumes, fake accents, or decorations that play into clichés. Instead, opt for authentic Mexican-inspired festive decorations, Mexican music, and genuine cultural elements.
• Support authentic culture: Choose Mexican-owned businesses when sourcing food, decorations, or catering. This not only ensures an authentic experience but also helps support the local Mexican community.
• Promote diversity and inclusivity: Highlight the richness of your workplace culture by creating opportunities for employees to connect and learn from one another. 

Bring Your Office Celebration to Life with Picnic

With these creative and respectful ideas, celebrating Cinco de Mayo at work can be a culturally enriching experience for your team. Whether you're planning a themed lunch, a cooking class, or a friendly game of Lotería, the key is to keep it authentic and inclusive.

If you need help organizing food or catering, Picnic makes the process easy, offering meal solutions that fit your workplace’s needs.

Make this Cinco de Mayo a workplace celebration to remember! Let Picnic handle the details while you bring your team together for an authentic and memorable celebration.